Temporal dynamics in neuroimaging as correlates of therapeutic response to psilocybin in major depressive disorder: A systematic review and critical appraisal
Sami George Sabbah, Sophie Li, Sabrina Wong, Gia Han Le, Sebastian Badulescu, Colin Hawco, Joshua D. Rosenblat, Roger S McIntyre
Journal of Affective Disorders September 16, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.120335 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Longitudinal Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Depression Psilocybin |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin is associated with dynamic and temporally distinct neuroplastic changes linked to clinical improvement in depression, but generalizability is constrained by overlapping datasets and high risk of bias. |
Abstract
Although these findings suggest psilocybin is associated with dynamic and temporally distinct neuroplastic changes linked to clinical improvement, several limitations must be acknowledged. Many studies reused overlapping datasets with high exploratory flexibility and risk of bias. The generalizability of results is therefore constrained. Future research should emphasize independent datasets, pre-registered imaging endpoints, and longitudinal designs to clarify the mechanisms underlying psychedelic therapy for depression.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Molecular Mechanisms of Psilocybin and Implications for the Treatment of Depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Registered clinical studies investigating psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders. Registered clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov evaluating psychedelics for... | 2021 | Review | n = 70 |
| Depression, Mindfulness, and Psilocybin: Possible Complementary Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depression. A Review | 2020 | Review | |
| From psychiatry to neurology: Psychedelics as prospective therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders | 2021 | Review |